Allen Carr - anyone read it???

[s2k_vixen]

You know how it is - you know you should give up smoking but you just haven't got to that stage yet, and until you do there is no point thinking about it.

Bought the Allen Carr Easyway to quit smoking this week (just for interest) and I'm nearly at the end of it. It has made me think seriously about what I'm doing and I will give it a go however I'm very dubious about it and will probably have to re-read most of the book before I take the plunge. However have heard people saying how effective it is :).

Anyone read it??

[thunderstruck]

I went to an Allan Carr half-day course on 1st March 2003. Haven't touched a cigarette since.

[s2k_vixen]

Did you smoke before

Seriously that's really good, he talks a lot about his other methods and I guess the clinic is probably more effective as you can ask questions. I don't totally agree with everything he says in the book - but that could be the evil weed talking

[lazyitus]

Worked for me.

See here:

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=156273&f=141&h=0&hw=allen+carr

[soir]

read the book, still smoke like a trouper!

however, I've heard the 'sessions' are very effective

[luca brazzi]

Mrs Brazzi is going back for her 3rd refresher lesson today.....so its not foolproof.

LB

[boosted ls1]

I read the book and it sorted my head out nicely and gave me the confidence to stop smoking. However, I used the patches at the same time and weaned myself down to nothing over 3 months or so. I was even cutting the patches into 4 at the end. The patches kept me calm and I got a nicotene fix, slowly I broke all the smoking rituals I had developed.

Each day without a cigarette made me a bit stronger and that little monster inside weaker He's been very dead for a long time now!

Boosted.

[s2k_vixen]

Sounds like I might need to re-read some of it so i'm totally in the right mental state (getting there). Well done to those it's worked for though, it's not easy and the hardest part I think is deciding you're going to do it I need to get that PMA before I start

[boosted ls1]

Stick a patch on your arm the night before you stop so that in the morning there will be no need for a nicotene hit when you wake up. Then each hour that passes is an hour living as a non smoker So your strength builds up from there.

That's how it worked for me.

Boosted.

[s2k_vixen]

Thanks Boosted, I'm not doing too badly during the week though. Don't smoke until I leave or sometimes when I get home (after 6.30). Weekends - that's another matter :thumbdown:

>> Edited by s2k_vixen on Tuesday 11th October 16:01

[soir]

I'd heard patches gave people nightmares (if left on overnight, but maybe that's smokers' escuse?)

congrats to anyone who has managed to give up.

[drifting]

Read the book then give up, I did 4 months ago and still not smoking and I'm sure I will never start again.
(Was smoking at least 20 a day for the last 33 years)

Drifting

[boosted ls1]

s2k_vixen said:

Thanks Boosted, I'm not doing too badly during the week though. Don't smoke until I leave or sometimes when I get home (after 6.30). Weekends - that's another matter :thumbdown: >> Edited by s2k_vixen on Tuesday 11th October 16:01

Heck, that already makes you a non smoker! Plus you don't smoke in your sleep so most of the time you don't go near a cigarette. You don't have a nicoteen dependancy, just some bad routines which need breaking. Get some rosemary beads or coins in your pocket and play with them when your hands need to do something

Boosted.

[boosted ls1]

soir said:

I'd heard patches gave people nightmares (if left on overnight, but maybe that's smokers' escuse?)

Possibly, if they are really high strength. Thing with me was they gave me psychological support until I finally quit. Some brands say use a patch at night and some brands don't.

Boosted.

[MGBGT]

s2k_vixen said:

Sounds like I might need to re-read some of it so i'm totally in the right mental state (getting there). Well done to those it's worked for though, it's not easy and the hardest part I think is deciding you're going to do it I need to get that PMA before I start

Absolutely! I'm reading the book for the second time about a year apart (lent it to a couple of friends who have succeeded using it). It's all in the mind - the basic premise is that you are going to stop smoking, you are not giving anything up as that infers some form of loss. Take your time, read the book as often and as slowly as you like. I wish you the very best in your efforts, however they come out. This will be my 19th attempt at stopping and I just want it to work...

[tallbloke]

thunderstruck said:

I went to an Allan Carr half-day course on 1st March 2003. Haven't touched a cigarette since.

I stopped smoking around the same time. The third day of the third month of the the third year of the third millenium, as I realised the next day. I spent that next day reading Alan Carr's book, and found it very affirming of my own reasons for stopping, and I have full control over the nicotine demon now.

I was smoking quite heavily, 30 rollups a day probably, and regularly, every day for 25 years.

Alan Carr is right, it's not a strong or powerful addiction, just insidious and easy to allow yourself to give in to, because having a ciggy is 'no big deal'. Fortunately it works the other way too: not having a ciggy is not a big deal either...

[s2k_vixen]

MGBGT said:

This will be my 19th attempt at stopping and I just want it to work...

Fingers crossed for you MG


I put my 'last' (hopefully) one out at 6.30 yesterday, we then spent the evening in the pub (Surrey S2k meet ). It was ok but by the end of the evening I was feeling really twitchy. Didn't get to sleep until 3am this morning but I'm now feeling quite positive. The craving was quite strong last night but kept affirming to myself why I was doing it. Thanks for the success (and otherwise) comments, it all helps to hear other people's experiences

[boosted ls1]

s2k_vixen said:

MGBGT said: This will be my 19th attempt at stopping and I just want it to work... Fingers crossed for you MG I put my 'last' (hopefully) one out at 6.30 yesterday, we then spent the evening in the pub (Surrey S2k meet ). It was ok but by the end of the evening I was feeling really twitchy. Didn't get to sleep until 3am this morning but I'm now feeling quite positive. The craving was quite strong last night but kept affirming to myself why I was doing it. Thanks for the success (and otherwise) comments, it all helps to hear other people's experiences

Don't go anywhere near alcohol for at least a fortnight, it will weaken your resolve!

After a week you will be tempted to have a cigarette because, after all you're a non smoker and in charge! Don't fall into that trap!

Boosted.

[jimothy]

Read it, followed the instructions, gave up when he said, haven't had a craving since!

[s2k_vixen]

[quote=boosted ls1]
Don't go anywhere near alcohol for at least a fortnight, it will weaken your resolve!
[quote]

I was afraid someone might say that -this is probably harder for me than giving up the sticks . Do like a couple of glasses of wine in the evening